Best in Travel: 2016 Edition

This year has been the most traveled year for me, ever. I have loved every second of chasing my dreams of seeing the world, meeting new people, exploring new cities, eating foods popular in other countries, and getting out of my comfort zone. I left my full time career to pursue this dream and it was worth every second.

Every new place I experienced was amazing. Was it always perfect? No. Travel comes with a lot of ups and downs – so don’t let the pretty photos fool you into thinking there was never a bad day. I traveled solo most of the year, and it was amazing. I never thought I could do that and now I don’t know how I could live without it.

I have flown around the globe this year and picked my top 11 places that I went to this year. 2017 is going to be completely different – but I cannot share just yet 😉

Here are my favorite memories of 2016:

Michigan – Taking my mom on a trip in our home state. I don’t go home a lot to Michigan, but this year I wanted to go home and take my mom to a place that I grew to love as an adult, Mackinac Island.

Sunrise

Arch Rock

Strolling the streets

Sunrise on the lawn of Mission Point Resort

Mission Point Resort

Island fudge

Butterfly’s at the Wings of Mackinac

The Parlor in the Grand Hotel

Iceland – this was my very first solo trip abroad. I was nervous, but at that point I had already been to 17 countries and felt confident in my ability to navigate and have a great time. I only got to stay for 2 days but it was amazing. I am going back in January to explore more of the country and taking my best friend.

Sunrise on the Golden Circle

Iceland

Iceland

Singapore – I fell hard for Singapore. I visited in December right around Christmas and I was starting to get homesick. Everything was beautifully decorate for the holidays, everyone I met was so nice and the food was incredible. I hope I get to go back soon and explore more of this vibrant city.

View from Marina Bay Sands

Little India – Singapore

Sunrise from Marina Bay in Singapore Sands

Singapore – Ritz Carlton

Night at Gardens by the Bay

Indoor waterfall at Gardens by the Bay

Sunrise views of Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay views from my hotel room at the Ritz Carlton

Lake Tahoe – this was an unexpected wellness retreat that kind of changed my life. I discovered that I love yoga and am very flexible, I fell in love with the landscapes and how beautiful the area is – and I think I convinced myself that someday it may be home.

Lake Tahoe, CA

Sunset

Dining at Resort at Squaw Creek

Lake Tahoe, CA

Dining in Lake Tahoe

Fog in the morning

Six Peaks Grille

Resort at Squaw Creek

Resort at Squaw Creek

Lake Tahoe

Bali – A long time dream of mine was to visit and I was so fortunate to get to spend 2 weeks there. This trip was near perfect, from hotels, villas, food, Balinese hospitality, massages, cultural experiences – everything. I even finished my MBA while I was here and celebrated my 33rd birthday!

Private pool villa at Kayumanis Jimbaran Villa

Delicious welcome drink at Bisma Eight

Rose bath at Kayumanis Ubud

Bali

Pool at Bisma Eight in Ubud

Tegalalang Rice Terrace in Ubud, Bali

Sunset at Kayumanis Ubud

Outdoor rooftop dinner at Bisma Eight

Offering in Bali

Kayumanis – Ubud

Walking through Paradise at Kayumanis Ubud, Bali

Sunset over the infinity pool at Bisma Eight in Ubud

Balcony

Breakfast at Bisma Eight in Ubud

Ubud Temple

Kayumanis – Ubud, Bali

Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple

Walking through Ubud

Paris – A little unknown fact: I hated Paris on my first visit in 2014. I gave it a second chance this year and loved it. It was a completely different experience and even though I fell down a set of stairs, bruised my bum and hurt my ankle – it was still fabulous.

Paris

Hilton Paris Opera

Hilton Paris Opera

Eiffle Tower

Dubai – This was the most surprising trip I took this year. Everyone told me not to go, they were afraid of terrorist activity, etc. I actually have never felt safer than when I was there. So thank you Dubai for not being the negative things that people kept circulating. Dubai is very luxurious and known for having either the biggest or top biggest things in the world. On my trip up to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, I almost had a panic attack from my fear of heights. But I made it and I conquered those fears!

Take a boat tour

Visit the Burj Al Arab in Dubai

Dine at the Burj Al Arab

Balcony breakfast at Sofitel

Visit the tallest block in the Marina

Try to get a selfie with a camel

Dubai

Top of the Burj Khalifa

Visit the spice market

Take a bus tour of Dubai

Feed the birds

Rapids at Atlantis in DUbai

Dubai Miracle Garden

High Tea at the Peacock Lounge in the Waldorf Astoria

Sofitel Dubai the Palm Reosrt

Feed the stingrays at the Dubai Aquarium

Philippines – I was fortunate enough to spend almost a month here exploring some of the 7,000+ islands. I will never have enough time to see all the wonders of the Philippines but if there is only one place you go next year – I think this should be it. Its affordable, the Filipino hospitality is incredible, the landscapes change often, and you will never run out of things to do.

Big Lagoon

El Nido – Philippines

Davao, Philippines

Davao, Philippines

Fairmonot Makati – Philippines

View from the top

Manila, Philippines

Palms

The Church of Baclayon

Chocolate Hills in Bohol

Singapore Sling at the Fairmont

Private island dining in Davao

Pearl Farm Beach Resort – Davao

Monkey in Davao

Maruya

Davao

views and hues

Kids playing

Suman Chocolate

Filipino Eagle

Sunset in Bohol

Lobok River in Bohol

Germany – I went to two cities in Germany: Dusseldorf and Dortmund. I loved both cities and cannot wait to explore more of this country. The food is phenomenal and so is the beer!

Virginia – I reside in Northern Virginia and spent some time exploring my own state this year. My state really offers it all: cities, countryside, beaches, and mountains. We even have over 250+ wineries. If that is not enough reason to visit, I don’t know what is.

Great Falls, VA

MIddleburg, VA

Room Decor

Goodstone Inn Grounds

Lansdowne Resort

Sunset at Primland

Primland Resort

Amsterdam – This city is so photogenic. All the canals and the row houses are perfect. A lot of people ride bikes in the city to get around, but the city is easily walk-able. There is also a lot of opportunities for gelato!

Wow such an amazing year and captured in so many amazing pictures! I can’t believe this year was your first time to travel solo! You have become a pro at it so quickly. Looking forward to seeing what you are up to in 2017. Happy New Year!

What a fabulous year you had! Glad you like Singapore, it’s a small country but packs a lot! Philippines has never been on my to-go list but perhaps I should reconsider that after your quick intro here. Here’s to a wonderful 2017, Nicki!

Oh wow, it looks like you’ve had the most awesome year. Some fantastic photography here from around the world. But that really is an awful lot of flights! I particularly like your pics from Lake Tahoe and Iceland.